Multi Axis Alignment Tines for a Hair Comb

ABSTRACT

A hair comb with improvements in the design of the individual comb tines that result in a more thorough alignment of the individual hair strands when the comb is used on the hair. A comb that uses the individual tines to align the individual hair strands in a primary and a secondary manner. A hair comb with tines that have more than one alignment function. A hair comb with appropriately spaced tines that can aid in the removal of unwanted debris in the hair.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applicationNo. 62/823,860 entitled “Multi Axis Alignment Tines for a Hair Comb”filed Mar. 26, 2019, the contents of which provisional application areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Hair combs have existed for a significant amount time in recordedhistory, and have served the function of grooming and aligning the hair.Conventional hair combs typically include as part of their design asingular line, or array, of ‘tines’. These ‘tines’ can be furtherdescribed as the individual teeth of a hair comb and provide the mainfunction in the comb for aligning and grooming the hair. The number ofteeth, or tines can vary within each unique comb design, along with thesize and spacing of the tines themselves. The comb, with it's array oftines, serves to align the hair when the comb is passed/dragged throughthe hair. The tines of the comb—on conventional comb designs—align thehair in a specific and singular manner when used to groom the hair. Thisis due to the positioning of the individual tines, as well as theindividual tine shape. Accordingly, there is a need for an individualhair comb tine design that can align and groom the hair in a moredetailed, descriptive and organized manner than existing hair comb tineswhen incorporated on various hair comb designs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a hair comb. Comb tines are shownin detail, and the individual grooves on the tines are described—both asa single tine and as an array of adjacent tines that are oriented andspaced in a specific arrangement.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a hair comb. Comb tines areshown both individually and as an array. Section details showing thegeometry make-up of the tines—both individually and as an array ofadjacent tines—are described.

FIGS. 3A, 3B show images that describe a hair comb with an array of combtines that are oriented in a specific manner when combing hair. Theimages detail the three dimensional orientation of the comb and it'sassociated comb tines with the hair—as when used combing the hair.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a simplified generic surface comb andcomb tine array arrangement as described herein—along with a sectionview of the comb/comb tine arrangement.

FIG. 5 depicts two different comb designs—both in side view. These combdesigns contain multi axis alignment tines for a hair comb of the typedescribed herein.

FIG. 6 details a comb design comprised of comb tines of a specificgeometry and spacing that aid in the removal of unwanted debris in thehair.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a comb comprised of comb tines that areoriented in a specific manner when combing hair to aid in the removal ofunwanted debris residing in the hair. The image details the threedimensional orientation of the comb and it's associated comb tines withthe hair—as when used combing the hair to aid in the removal of unwanteddebris residing in the hair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein is a unique comb tine that can be incorporated in anadjacent array orientation, using multiple tines, on a hair comb. Anarray used in this context is described as a line, or lines, of combtines arranged adjacently. The tines are constructed with a uniquegeometry that allows for the alignment of the hair along multiple axis.A hair comb equipped with the comb tines described within thisdisclosure has the capability to align hair along multiple axis whenused in the process of combing hair. This hair comb tine—when used in anarray-like configuration of multiple tines on a hair comb—has multipleadvantages over existing hair comb designs. These advantages include:primary and secondary alignment of hair when a hair comb incorporatingthe comb tines described in this disclosure is used—resulting in a moredetailed and thorough alignment of the hair. Moreover, when a hair combequipped with multi-axis alignment tines is used in combing hair, thehair goes through a secondary alignment along the length of the combtines, which reduces the possibility of hair binding at the base of thecomb tines. This secondary alignment of hair can result in a reductionof tangling or binding of the comb/comb tines in the hair throughout theprocess of combing the hair. Additionally, when the comb tines of thetype disclosed herein are arranged in a defined, close proximity to eachother on a hair comb, the hair comb can be used to aid in the removal ofunwanted debris in the hair. These are notable advantages over existinghair comb designs.

Referring to FIG. 1, a comb 1A is shown in side view, with individualtines 2A arranged in a horizontal array configuration. The comb tinegeometry and spacing are shown in AA. AA shows surfaces that face eachother in a convex peak 3A and concave valley 4A arrangement. AA alsodefines the spacing between the comb tines a. The peak 3A and valley 4Asurfaces are aligned in such a way that the convex peaks 3A of one tineare horizontally opposed to the concave depressions 4A of the tine tothe right or left. This offset arrangement of the convex ‘peak’ andconcave ‘valley’ surfaces that face each other on opposing comb tinesprovides secondary alignment of the hair when the comb moves through thehair. This secondary alignment occurs along the full length of eachindividual tine in the tine array of the comb. The secondary alignmentenabled by the comb tines allows for a more thorough alignment of thehair by a comb so equipped with comb tines of this description—resultingin a unique and novel function. The surfaces that make up the individualcomb tines, as well as the tine array incorporated on a hair comb,incorporate a high level of detail to enable their function—specificallywhen compared to existing comb tine designs that are incorporated onhair combs. Fabrication of hair combs that incorporate multi-axisalignment tines as described herein can be accomplished in multipleways, and can include the injection molding process of materials thatinclude silicone, injection molded carbon fiber, polyethylene and nylon.Additional fabrication methods include 3D printing, and machining usingmultiple material options.

Referring to FIG. 2, a comb 1B is shown in perspective view with a tinearray 2B making up the individual ‘teeth’ of the comb. A grouping ofindividual tines are shown in a tine array 4B, and a section BB is takenthrough the tine array and shown in detail 6B. A single comb tine isshown in perspective view 3B, with a section AA taken through theindividual tine 5B. Shown on the individual comb tine 3B is the surfacedetail that comprises the horizontal ridged surfaces made up of convex‘peaks’ and concave ‘depressions’ that run the length of the comb tine(on two sides). As shown in section AA (5B), the section on the twosides that oppose each other are not symmetrical. It should also benoted that the horizontal ridged surfaces shown on the comb tines in 2B,3B, and 4B do not completely surround the comb tine(s)—but graduallydiminish to zero on the front and rear edges of the comb tine(s). Whenthe comb tines are arranged in an adjacent array format 4B, thehorizontal ridged surfaces of the tines that face each other form anovel arrangement, and allow for a unique function—this being thesecondary alignment of hair, when comb tines of this unique design andarrangement are used on a hair comb.

Referring to FIG. 3A, a 3D coordinate system is shown, with definitionto the V (vertical) and H (horizontal) axis. FIG. 3B shows a hair combwith multi axis alignment tines of the type described herein in atypical grooming application combing hair. Primary hair alignment occursalong the drag path H of the comb, and is similar in effect to knownexisting comb designs. Secondary hair alignment occurs along the entirecomb tine length V, and is normal (perpendicular) to the drag path ofthe comb. Secondary alignment of the hair along the comb tine length,enabled by the horizontal ridged surfaces of the comb tine thatadjacently face each other internally along the comb tine array, isunique, novel and useful. The unique result of detailed hair alignmentis possible through the use of the multi axis alignment tines on a haircomb when combing the hair.

Referring to FIG. 4, a simplified generic surface diagram representing ahair comb with a multi axis comb tine array is shown in perspectiveview. Dimensions are referenced for the individual tines of the comb,shown by A, B, C, and D—where A represents the comb tine depth, Brepresents the comb tine width, C represents the comb tine thickness,and D represents the spacing distance between comb tines. Primaryindividual comb tine surfaces are also referenced and are shown as 1, 2,and 3. Comb tine surface 1 has horizontal ridged surfaces with convexpeaks and concave depressions along the entire length of the comb tine.Comb tine surfaces 2 and 3 are substantially smooth and do not have anyhorizontal ridges. It should be noted that the horizontal ridgedsurfaces found on surface 1 do not extend onto adjacent surfaces 2 and3. It should also be noted that—as shown in section DD—that thehorizontal ridged surfaces are located on both sides of the comb tine,and oppose (face) each other in an offset arrangement when set up in anarray configuration. The number of horizontal ridges can vary with thegeometry of the comb tine, but those skilled in the art would recognizethat the number of horizontal ridges has a proportional relationship tothe comb tine length and the scale of the hair comb to which the combtine array is applied. It should also be noted that spacing D definesthe proximity between the adjacent comb tines, and the spacing can beincreased or decreased as desired for each unique application. SectionDD further defines the horizontal ridges that make up the tine innersurfaces 1 that oppose each other internally on the comb tines that makeup the comb tine array. Section DD shows the offset alignmentrelationship of the opposing horizontal ridges 1R, 1 L that make up theinternal opposing comb tine surfaces.

Referring to FIG. 5, a finite set of examples of hair combs 1C, 2Cequipped with multi-axis alignment tines is shown. Those skilled in theart would acknowledge that the multi axis alignment tines—when arrangedin an adjacent array-like configuration—can be incorporated on countlesshair comb designs successfully. Additionally, comb tines of the typedescribed herein can also be incorporated on other product designs thatincorporate comb tines—examples being a garden rake, mechanized farmingequipment, and a lice removal comb.

Referring to FIG. 6, a comb 1 that is used in the aid of removal ofunwanted debris from the hair is shown. Unwanted debris can be definedas dirt, nits or head lice and the like, which are known to commonlyinfiltrate the hair of both humans and animals. The comb 1 is comprisedof multi axis alignment tines of the type described herein 2. Of note isthe spacing A1 between the comb tines arranged in an adjacent horizontalarray. To perform the function of expelling unwanted debris from thehair, the spacing between the comb tines A1 needs specific definition.Human hair strands have been documented to have a thickness in diameterrange of 0.04 millimeters to 0.1 millimeters. Accordingly, the spacingbetween the comb tines must be of close proximity to one another in anadjacent, array configuration. Spacing A1 would typically fall in therange of 0.1 millimeters to 1.5 millimeters, when applied to a combdesign used for human or animal hair. Those skilled in the art wouldacknowledge that applications to expel unwanted debris beyond that ofhuman and animal hair would have corresponding dimensions for the combtines and spacing that would be unique to that application.

Referring to FIG. 7, a comb 1 that is used in the aid of removing ofunwanted debris 3 from the hair 2 is shown. The comb 1 is draggedthrough the hair 3 along path H. As comb 1 is dragged along path H,unwanted debris 3 residing in the hair can be dislodged and accumulateat the intersection of the comb tines and hair. The spacing between thecomb tines does not allow debris of a certain size to pass through thetines. Due to the unique shape and configuration of the comb tines asdescribed herein, the unwanted debris can be collected and expelled inboth the horizontal H and vertical V orientations when the comb isdragged along drag path H. This unique and novel arrangement providesadvantages over existing combs that are specifically designed to rid thehair of unwanted debris.

1. A comb tine that: Is comprised of horizontal ridged surfaces of afinite number with convex peaks concave depressions that run along thecomb tine vertical length. Has a number of horizontal ridged surfaceswith convex peaks and concave depressions that is proportional to thecomb tine vertical length. Has horizontal ridges with convex peaks andconcave depressions on at least two opposing sides of the comb tine. Hashorizontal ridges with convex peaks and concave on at least two opposingsides of the comb tine, and are oriented in such a way that the peaks ofthe ridges on one side align horizontally with the depressions of theridges on the opposing side. Has horizontal ridged surfaces with convexpeaks and concave depressions that can vary in both number and amplitude(height) along the comb tine length.
 2. A comb tine array comprised of afinite number of comb tines described in claim 1 that: Has horizontalridged surfaces with convex peaks and concave depressions facing eachother internally, where the adjacent comb tines are arranged in an arrayconfiguration. Has horizontal ridged surfaces with convex peaks andconcave depressions facing each other internally, oriented in such amanner as to have the peaks of the horizontal ridges on one comb tinealign horizontally with the depressions of the horizontal ridges on theopposing comb tine. Has horizontal ridged surfaces with convex peaks andconcave depressions that can vary in both number and amplitude (height)on each comb tine along the entire comb tine array. Can have theindividual tines of the comb tine array spaced in such a manner as toallow for unique and detailed alignment and grooming of hair. Can havethe individual tines of the comb tine array spaced in such a manner asto allow for expelling unwanted debris from the hair.
 3. A hair combincorporating a comb tine array of claim 2 that: Can align the hair inboth a primary and secondary manner along the drag path of the comb(1—parallel) and along the vertical length of the comb tines(2—perpendicular). Can align the hair along the vertical length of thecomb, where the peaks of the horizontal ridged surfaces on one side ofthe comb tines in the array on the comb align horizontally with thedepressions of the comb tines in the comb tine array on the opposingsides. Can provide a unique and highly detailed level of hair alignmentand grooming when combing the hair when used. Can have the individualtines of the comb tine array optimally spaced for hair alignment andgrooming. Can have the individual tines of the comb tine array optimallyspaced for expelling the hair of unwanted debris.